operatic expeditions

I'm planning to drive around the DC Beltway today, hoping to see Wolf Trap Opera's "Alcina." I haven't been able to view the company's site (thanks to my computer's limitations, not theirs), but what I've been able to glean from Director Kim Witman's blog and some performers' blogs (just added to my blog roll) has been enticing. Until now, my only visit ever to Wolf Trap Park was back around 1991, when I went to see Boris Pokrovsky's production of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Mlada." (I must acknowledge the side bar calendar of events on the Ionarts site for keeping me aware of performance times, too.)

Next weekend: Artscape! During the festival, Baltimore Opera offers Ravel's "L'Heure espagnole" on Saturday and Opera Vivente has a baroque double feature with period ensemble on Sunday. Both performances are free and will be given twice each in the afternoons. I want to make it there on both days, if I can, and my restaurant group friends are also meeting in the neighborhood that weekend.

Vacation plans are falling into place. On my way to the Hudson Valley and Szymanowski at Bard College at the end of this month, I will spend some time in the Finger Lakes region, lodging in Ithaca.